Apparatus for treating yarn



Dec. 5. 1950 H. o. NAUMANN 2,532,325

APPARATUS FOR TREATING YARN Original Filed July 14, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet l awumm Dec. 5, 1950 H. O. NAUMANN APPARATUS FOR TREATING YARN Original Filed July 14, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jrwenwtm d/Vamzm 7 aiented Dec. 5, 1950 APPARATUS FOR TREATING YARN Herbert 0. Naumann, Englewood, N. J., assignor to North American Rayon Corporation, New York, N. Y.,a corporation of Delaware Application June 3, 1943, Serial No. 489,552, which is a division of application Serial No. 450,934,

July 14, 1942. Divided and this August 6, 1945, Serial No. 609,172

application Claims. (Cl. 68-205) This invention relates to improvements in the treatment of thread and deals more particularly with apparatus forthe wet treating and drying of a moving thread strand.

The present application is a division of my application Serial No. 489,552, filed June 3, 194 now U. S. Patent 2,416,535, which in turn is a division of my original application Serial No. 450,934, filed July 14, 1942, now U. S. Patent 2,416,533.

It has long been recognized in the textile arts that thread in extended form can be more readily wet treated and dried than is possible if the thread is wound in packages composed of superposed helical layers. In such processes, for instance, as in the after-treatment of thread of synthetic origin, in the coating and impregnating of thread or strands, such as the coating of fishing lines or insulating strands with varnish and in like operations, the advantages of exposing each portion to the treating fluids is obvious' Also important in such processes is the retention of the thread in extended form during the drying period.

Many proposals for so treating threads of synthetic origin have been advanced, for instance, German Patents 209,923, 300,254 and 448,437; British Patents 315,405 and 379,880; and French Patents 379,935 and 625,049 all disclose treating thread of synthetic origin while in extended form. German Patents 233,370 and 183,001 disclose treating thread from any source while it is in extended form. In many instances the patents above referred to disclose not only wet treating but drying the thread in the course of its travel in extended form or while it is being advanced in the form of a single layer of traveling helices.

The primary object of this invention is to facilitate the wet treatment and drying of thread while it is being advanced in extended form.

Another object is to establish a definite line of demarcation between different treating zones of a thread-advancing thread-store device upon which the thread to be treated is supported in the form of a single layer of traveling helices.

A further object is to provide a thread-advancing thread-store device separated longitudinally into at least one liquid treating zone and a heated drying zone and including means to inhibit the conduct of heat from the drying zone to an adjacent zone, the surfaces, elements, and other constituent parts of the apparatus being made of material that is substantially immune to the action of the liquids used in treating synthetic thread and at the same time substantially immune to breakage, cracking and other effects induced by subjection to elevated temperatures. To this end the material preferably used for the construction of the elements of the apparatus exposed to treating liquids and heat is, as recited in the original application, a carbon and graphite composition hereinafter referred to in greater detail.

Referring to the drawing, in which the figures illustrate embodiments of the invention as applied to the production of synthetic thread:

Figure 1 is a view partially in section and partially in side elevation of a thread-storage, thread-advancing unit embodying this invention;

Figure 2 is a development of the cylindrical surface constituting a portion of the cooling zone of the upper roller of the thread-storage, threadadvancing device of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view in section of the cylinder developed in Figure 2; and

Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of a roller of a thread-storage, thread-advancing unit constructed of a carbon-graphite composition.

The thread-storage, thread-advancing unit is composed of two rollers I26 and I2'I driven from shafts I34 and I28, respectively, through spiders 24I and 242, keyed respectively at 243 and 244, as can be seen in Figure 1. Note also that housings I38 and I32 extend well into rollers I26 and I2'I so that bearings 245and 246 may be located on shafts I34 and I28 a substantial distance toward the unsupported end of the device.

Spider 24I is provided with a cylindrical portion 241 over which a cylinder 248 is pressed under shear. This cylinder is provided with an annular flange 249. Roller I26 in addition to cylinder 248 and shouldered annular members 252 and 253 are shown in Figure 1. Integral with or attached to cylinder 25I' is a spider 254 provided with a central hub 255 through which the threaded free end 256 of a shaft I34 is passed. A nut 251 may be drawn against a washer 250 to pull cylinder 25I toward cylinder 240, thereby holding the intermediate annular members and cylinder 250 together under compression so that the entire assembly may function as a unit.

Practically an identical arrangement is used in drawing together the component parts of roller I21. In the latter case, shaft I 20 is provided with a threaded end 259 passing through a central aperture in a spider 2B0 integral with an annular member 26!, and a nut 262 engaging shaft end 259 serves to draw together all of the components of roller I21 between annular member 26I and a cylinder 263, similar to cylinder 240 of roller I26. Cylinder 264 is pressed over a shoulder of annular member 26I so that it will not be subjected to any destructive compressive force exerted by nut 262 and yet be held in place by compression axially, and in shear relation by the annular member 261. Between annular member 26l and cylinder 263, two cylinders 265 and 266 and two shouldered annular members 261 and 268 are interposed, the arrangement being as previously described in conjunction with roller I26. The parts of both devices are therefore held together in compression, axially considered, and in shear, vertically considered.

An embodiment of an arrangement using cylinders of the type herein described is shown wherein the various cylinders making up the unit are provided with liquid supply pipes as may be seen in Figure 1. Thus, a pipe 269 supplies liquid above cylinder 256 and similar pipes 216, 21I, 212 and 213 perform a corresponding function in connection with cylinders 248, 265, 266 and 263, respectively. Underlying cylinder I26 is a collection trough 214 having partitions 215 and 216 underlying respectively annular members 253' and 252. In this way, liquid supplied to the various component cylinders of roller 2I6 may be separately recovered. A trough 211 underlies roller I21 and this trough is partitioned at 218 and 219, the partitions underlying respectively annular members 261 and 268.

Upon reference to Figure 1 it will be noted that cylinders 256 and 266 are provided with grooves 286 and that there are some grooves 28I at the right hand side of cylinder 25I. These grooves function to distribute liquids over the surface of the cylinders in which they are located, the liquids being supplied from the pipes disposed above the particular cylinder.

In the aftertreatment of freshly spun viscose yarn, cylinders 248 and 263 can be conveniently employed as a desulphurizing zone. The desulphurizing liquid has been found to be selfdistributing, the treatment is a chemical one, and, for that reason, the surfaces of cylinders 248 and 263 need not be grooved. Cylinders 256 and 266 constitute washing zones. Here substantial quantities of water are supplied to the cylinders and are moved from left to right as viewed in Figure 1. Cylinder 265 is used for the application of a finishing solution to the thread. This solution need not be supplied in large amounts and having a low surface tension, is more or less self-distributing. Consequently, cylinder 265 need not be provided with grooves to cause axial movement of the liquid supplied from pipe 21I. Since only a small amount of the finishing solution is applied to the thread, no similar zone on roller I26 is required. However, a portion of cylinder 25I extends over cylinder 265 and the former, near. its unsupported end, is provided with a heating unit 283 which is in registry with cylinder 264 of roller I21. This is a radiant heat unit, fully described in Patent No. 2,244,745. As a result of its use, the surface of cylinder 25I adjacent the unsupported end thereof is subjected to considerable heat. It is undesirable, however, that the finishing solution be dried before it is applied in an adequate amount. Consequently, a heat insulated disc 264 serves to divide the interior of cylinder 25I into two portions. Disc 284 is conveniently held in position by bolting to spider 254. Disc 284 prevents the radiation of heat into the portion of cylinder 25I which is in vertical registry with cylinder 265. The surface of cylinder 25I however, is of a heat conductive material. Thus, to prevent the surface conduction of heat along cylinder 25I beyond disc 284, a cooling zone 265 is interposed. This cooling zone is best viewed in Figures 2 and 3. It can be seen that the thickness of cylinder 25I is reduced at annular zone 285 and that a number of perforations 286 are provided therein. These allow the atmospheric .air in the spinning rooms to pass through a portion of the cylinder to cool the same. Grooves 28I, on the surface of cylinder 25I, tend to move any finishing solution carried by the thread from cylinder 265 to cylinder 25I to the right of the latter as it is viewed in Figure 1 so that it cannot get onto the heating zone.

As recited in the original application, Serial No. 450,934, now Patent 2,416,533, as well as in the division thereof, Serial No. 489,552, now Patent 2,416,535 of which latter the present application is a division, a material suitable for constituting thread treating rollers of the type described is a carbon and graphite composition which is substantially immune to the action of treating liquids as well as substantially immune to the effects produced by heat, such as cracking, etc. A material of this type is available on the market under the trade name of Karbate. This is a material of construction used in chemical engineering. practice and described for example by L. C. Werking in Trans. Amer. Instit. Chem. Engrs., vol. 35, pp. 489-563 (1939) under the title: Carbon, Graphite, and Karbate as materials of construction. The expression carbon and graphite" refers to the two types of carbon constituting the material, the proportions depending on the degree of heat treatment used during the manufacture thereof and the purposes for which it is intended. Porosity is overcome by impregnation with synthetic resins.

In Figure 4 there is shown a modified type of cylinder which may be used in duplicate to form a thread-storage, thread-advancing device. This cylinder is composed of the carbon and graphite composition l-..'f0ll8d to, as distinguished from normal construction which may comprise a stainless steel surface usually satisfactorily resistant to the various chemicals employed but expensive and difiicult to machine. The structure is similar to the forms previously described which of course are also made of the carbon and graphite material referred to. Thus, a roller drive shaft 666 is provided having, at its free end, a threaded area 66I of reduced crosssection. This area is passed through a central aperture in a steel clamping plate 662 which plate is urged toward the supported end of the roller by a nut 663 acting against a washer 664. Plate 662 rests against an interior annular flange 665 of a cylinder 666, the cylinder being composed entirely of the carbon and graphite composition aforesaid molded in the shape desired. An annular member 661 is located between cylinder 666 and another cylinder 668, this annular member defining a separation zone by virtue of being provided with exterior annular grooves 669, 6I6, 6H and 6I2, bridges 6I3 crossing all of the grooves and presenting a rounded uninterrupted surface lying slightly above the surfaces of cylinders 668 and 666. Annular member 661 is similar to the corresponding members in the steel bodiment, here too the component parts are retained in compression relation, axially considered, and in shear relation vertically considered. Shoulders 614 and 6 l 5 thereof respectively receive the edges of cylinders 508 and 501. Cylinder 608 is provided with an exterior annular flange GIS and is pressed over a cylindrical portion BIT of a steel spider BiB, having a hub M9 keyed at 520 to shaft 600. An annular flange 52i may be disposed on hub M9 to act as a dam to prevent any accidental movement of corrosive liquids into the drive. connections for shaft 600. Similarly, a cap 622 may be screwed over a boss 523 against a washer 624 to protect the threaded connection between portion GM of shaft 600 and nut 503.

I wish to emphasize that the apparatus may be modified to allow wet spinning of any other synthetic thread. Thus it is possible, with ado quate changes of the treatment baths, to spin cuprammonium solutions, solutions of cellulose esters, polymerized hydrocarbons and derivatives thereof, etc. Modification of the apparatus will readily be foreseen by those skilled in the art, and I desire to include all modifications and variations coming within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A thread-storage, thread-advancing cylinder adapted for the. liquid treatment of wet spun synthetic thread, the thread contacting surfaces of which are formed of a dense carbon and graphite composition impermeable and resistant to thread-treating liquids said device being constituted of a plurality of individual cylindrical members coaxially arranged and retained in assembled relation by compression axially and in shear relation vertically at least one of said members being provided with subsurface liquid guiding means.

2. Apparatus for the treatment of wet spun synthetic thread and the like, including a driven thread-advancing thread-storage cylinder comprising a plurality of cylindrical sections made of a dense carbon and graphite composition impermeable and resistant to thread-treating liquids, said sections being retained in co-axially assembled relation, at least one of said sections being provided with liquid conveying grooves and with bridging members over said grooves adapted to permit smooth uninterrupted passage of thread over the section containing said grooves said sections being retained in said assembled relation by compression axially and in shear relation vertically.

3. Apparatus for the treatment of wet spun synthetic thread or the like, including a driven thread-advancing thread-storage cylinder comprising a plurality of cylindrical sections made of a dense carbon and graphite composition impermeable and resistant to thread-treating liquids retained in coaxially assembled relation and divided into a plurality of treating zones, some of said zones being provided with non-annular subsurface groove means for advancin treating liquid in the form of a cylindrical film over the surfaces of said zones, other zones being provided with annular subsurface groove means for collecting the liquid advanced by said non-annular groove means, and bridging members over said annular groove means adapted to permit smooth uninterrupted \passage of 6 thread thereover said sections being retained in said assembled relation by compression axially and in shear relation vertically.

4. Apparatus for the treatment of wet spun synthetic thread or the like, including a plurality of driven thread-advancing thread-storage cylinders, at least one of said cylinders comprising a plurality of cylindrical sections made of a dense carbon and graphite composition impermeable and resistant to thread-treating liquids retained in coaxially assembled relation and divided into a plurality of treating zones, some of said zones being provided with non-annular subsurface groove means for advancing treating liquid in the form of a cylindrical film over the surfaces of said zones, other zones being provided with annular subsurface groove means for collecting the liquid advanced by said non-annular groove means, and bridging members over said annular groove means adapted to permit smooth uninterrupted passage of thread thereover said sections being retained in said assembled relation by compression axially and in shear relation vertically.

5. A cylinder for the liquid treatment of wet spun synthetic thread or the like, said cylinder being composed of a plurality of cylindrical sections made of a dense carbon and graphite composition impermeable and resistant to threadtreating liquids interfltted and placed end to end and retained in coaxially assembled relation and presenting as a whole a smooth continuous outer cylindrical surface, some of said sections having sub-surface non-annular groove means for advancing fluid over the surface thereof in the form of a cylindrical film, other sections having subsurface annular groove means for collecting such advanced liquid, bridging members disposed over said subsurface annular groove means adapted to preserve the smooth thread-carrying continuity of the surface of the assembled structure as a whole, said structure being horizontal and being supported and driven in cantilever fashion said sections being retained in said assembled relation by compression axially and in shear relation vertically.

HERBERT O. NAUMANN.

REFEREECES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PA'I'ENTS Number Name Date 680,441 Rhodin Aug. 13, 1901 1,927,661 Hunter et a1. Sept. 19,1933 1,983,221 Furness Dec. 4; 19 4 2,002,994 Hartmann et al May 28, 1935 2,020, 57 Hartmann et a1 Nov. 5, 1935 2,129,274 Hartmann et al. Sept. 6. 19 2,167,681 Samerdyke Aug. 1, 1939 2,225,407 Bassett Dec. 17, 1940 2,246,553 Torrence June 24, 1941 2,294,870 Kline et al Sept. 1, 1942 2,319,812 Gram et a1 May 25, 1943 2,416,534 Naumann Feb. 25, 1947 OTHER REFERENCES Werking, Trans. Amer. Inst. Chem. Engrs., vol. 35, pages 489-503 (1939).

Wei-king Chem. and Met. Eng, vol. 46, pages 362-384 (1939). 

